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He continued: "Furthermore, as the students union is located on campus, there are severe concerns around noise and antisocial behaviour at antisocial hours, causing angst and disturbance - ultimately affecting residents' wellbeing.

"I have no reason to believe students will be anymore considerate than in my student days."

He added: "The local area is primarily families and the retired. The introduction of more than 500 young, transient residents will change the local demographic irreprably.

"These families deserve to bring their children up in a home surrounded by those with a like mind and a sense of community spirit."

'Ivy-league style'

Ed Fisher, from the Future Generation, the firm planning to run the accommodation, attempted to appease the objectors at the meeting.

He said it would be a "high quality Ivy League style campus development in a leafy collegiate setting".

"I would like to put people's minds at rest I have built and operated several student housing projects, very similar to Guilden Park, in Kingston and Winchester, which leaves me confident that we'll be a good neighbour," he said.

Soviet overtones

But a number of councillors on the planning committee lambasted the plans and design, and called for the application to be rejected.

Councillor Paul Spooner, leader of the council, raised concerns about the impact on Stoke Park.

He said: "We see it as a significant and important area for recreation and while we do need to build, we need to build with care and this Soviet style 1970s look is not for me.

"Overall, I'm afraid I cannot support it."

Cllr Spooner said he was concerned about the impact on Stoke Park (Image: Darren Pepe)

Other councillors criticised the developer's decision to provide minimal car parking to discourage students from relying on cars.

"No one can convince me students will not have cars," said Councillor Tony Rooth. "They will have cars for seven days a week, some of them, and some will have cars for the weekend."